FAQ
Where does the data come from?
All data comes from the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, the most authoritative source for seismic data worldwide.
How quickly are new earthquakes shown?
Real-time feeds are cached for 5 minutes. USGS updates continuously as seismic events are detected and verified.
What is the Richter scale?
The Richter scale measures earthquake magnitude logarithmically. Each whole number increase represents 10x more ground motion and ~32x more energy.
Can I search historical earthquakes?
Yes, use the search page to filter by magnitude range, date range, and location. The USGS archive goes back decades.
Is this site free?
Yes. All USGS data is public domain.